October 2017 - Report and Summary

The month of October 2017 was warmer and drier than normal. The thirty-day outlook for October 2017, issued on September 21, had called for near normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. The September 30 revision called for above normal temperatures and below normal recipitation. Compared with October 2016, the month was 3.5 deg. Cooler and 0.86 inch wetter. Year-to-date rainfall through the end of the month was 10.71 inches greater in 2017 than in the previous year.

Upper air high pressure was the primary weather factor at the beginning of the month. A tropical wave crossed westward on the 3rd, bringing a few showers to the eastern counties on the 2nd and widespread showers on the 3rd. Most rainfall amounts were under one-third inch, though Canton received 2.16 inches and Crockett 2.08. Temperatures were well above normal through the 9th. A slight weakening of the ridge on the 7th permitted a weak cold front to drop into the region, with slightly drier air and a wind shift into the north for about 24 hours. Hurricane Nate, which came ashore southeast of New Orleans on the night of the 7th, had little effect on East Texas weather.

A strong cold front moved into the region on the morning of the 10th, taking temperatures below normal for a couple of days, and resulting in showers over the northwestern counties. A gauge near Bonham picked up 1.30 inches of rain, though most amounts were light.

Upper air high pressure re-built over the region between the 12th and 14th, with temperatures going back above normal and no rain. Another cold front arrived on the morning of the 15th, with a few showers over the northern counties, and much cooler temperatures. Below normal temperatures continued through the 18th, going back above normal between the 19th and 22nd.

An upper air low and cold front crossed on the morning of the 22nd. Showers were present on the 20th and 21st, with about 30 percent coverage on the first day and 10 percent on the latter, and rainfall amounts under one-tenth of an inch. Thunderstorms were widespread with the front, with coverage near 100 percent and amounts averaging around one inch. The heaviest in the region was 2.80 inches at Greenville.

Temperatures ran below normal through the 25th, followed by a one-day warming, and then another cold front on the 27th. There was patchy light frost in favored locations on the morning of the 25th, and the Athens airport fell to 32 that morning.

A stronger front arrived on the morning of the 27th. This brought a light freeze to much of the area on the 28th and 29th more than two weeks before the usual ending of the growing season. Temperatures continued to run below normal through the end of the month. On the 31st, yet another front combined with an upper air disturbance to bring light showers
to the region.

KEY TO SYMBOLS:

A = HAIL

B = BLOWING

D = DUST

F = FOG

H = HAZE

IP = SLEET

K = SMOKE

L = DRIZZLE

R = RAIN

S = SNOW

T = THUNDERSTORM

Z = GREENWICH MEAN TIME

ZL = FREEZING DRIZZLE

ZR = FREEZING RAIN

- = LIGHT

+ = HEAVY

The reporting period for temperatures and phenomenon on each day is for the twenty-four hours ending at midnight hours GMT--6 p.m. CST and 7 p.m. CDT. The reporting period for precipitation is for the twenty-four hours ending at noon GMT--6 a.m. CST and 7 a.m. CDT. All times are given using the twenty-four hour clock, and are expressed in Greenwich Mean Time.

Observations are from NWS Station 41/9207/4 in Tyler, Texas. The term "normal" refers to averages from the standard climatic period 1971-2000.